Bayer HealthCare bolstered its Animal Health Division by spending $800,000 to upgrade a laboratory dedicated to the development of livestock and companion animal medicines. The research facility, on the campus of the Centre for Innovation and Development in Auckland, New Zealand, focuses on new formulations and other interests, including the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows. "This new laboratory represents Bayer’s continued commitment to developing new veterinary solutions,” said Douglas Hutchens, DVM, Ph.D., chief veterinary officer and head of global development for the Animal Health Division. The Germany-based company in 2011 acquired New Zealand’s largest privately owned animal health company, Bomac, which operated a laboratory that the new facility replaces. "By expanding the work of the Centre for Innovation and Development, we are investing in developments that will benefit veterinarians and farmers globally,” Dr. Hutchens said. The $800,000 was spent on equipment and to build out previously vacant space, keeping construction costs to a minimum. Bayer reported this month that it expects to identify new combinations of medicines for both the regional and global markets. "Developing a new medicine for animals currently requires an investment of around 10 years and $133 million,” said Dirk Ehle, global head of the Animal Health Division. "Given the long and costly development process, it is important to fully utilize existing medicines through new formulations and novel combinations.” Research at the New Zealand site led to Tylofen, a mastitis treatment combined with pain relief, said Derek Bartlett, country division head for Bayer HealthCare in New Zealand. "And in the pet care segment,” Bartlett said, "the launch of Hyper-T, a transdermal treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats, has saved both owners and cats the daily stress of tablet administration.” The 11,500-square-foot facility is staffed by 35 people who worked in the previous lab. <HOME>
